Three Columbus police officers spent several minutes Tuesday night working with an individual threatening to jump off the Luxapalila bridge.
First responders received a call about the individual just after 6 p.m., according to a Columbus Police Department press release. The subject was standing on the top rail of the bridge’s north side where it crosses the river on Highway 182. Police Chief Fred Shelton said officers were on the bridge two minutes later.
Police and Columbus Fire and Rescue officials immediately closed the bridge, and the three officers got close enough to the individual to start a dialogue. Shelton said they physically lifted the victim from the top railing. After 10 more minutes of the officers and other first responders talking with the subject, an ambulance took the subject to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle for medical care.
He added if the subject had jumped while the officers had hold of the person, they could have fallen as well.
Shelton said no charges will be filed and that police are assisting the individual in seeking treatment. He also thanked the anonymous caller who alerted first responders.
“I can’t say enough about our officers,” he said in the press release. “We never know what these fine men and women will be called on to do when they report for duty and this is a case of compassion and action, saving someone from injury or death. … It is easy to forget these officers are called on daily to put themselves in harm’s way and they did that tonight without hesitation. This shows the true spirit of these law enforcement officers.”
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